It was probably of this letter that Buckingham wrote[69] to Heath, the Solicitor-General, on 16th February, 1625, from Newmarket:—­

“I have written a letter to yourself and to Mr. Attorney regarding the business of the Lady Purbeck showing that I desire you principally only to aggravate her crimes that the Lady by my humble and your like kind favour may yet be kept in prison, before the returne to towne, for other my brother who hopes to be going soune will not be kept from her and she will (if he should meet with her) so worke on him by her subtilty and that shee will draw from him something to the advantage of her dishonourable cause and to her end.”  Here again is evidence that Purbeck “will not be kept from” his wife; and that, if they meet “shee will draw something to the advantage of her” case in the divorce suit.  In what form could this something come?  Is it possible that Buckingham may have thought that she might induce Purbeck to appear as a witness in her favour?  Or that she might persuade him to stop the suit if he should happen to be sane enough to do so when it came on?

The next letter has an interest, first, because it shows that Lady Purbeck’s child was really in the custody of Buckingham.  Nominally it was probably in that of Purbeck; but, if Purbeck as a lunatic was in the custody of Buckingham, what was in Purbeck’s custody would be in Buckingham’s custody.  Presently, however, we shall hear of the child being with its mother in her imprisonment at the house of an Alderman.

Innocent Lanier to Buckingham.[70] “May it please your grace,

“Appon my returne to London, I presently repayred to my Lo:  Chiefe Justice, where I found Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor....  I have heer inclosed fore your Grace ther letter which before it was sealed they showed mee, being something contrary to their resolution last nyghte, w^ch was, to have sent for Sr.  Ro:  Howard this morning, and so to comitt him closs in the Fleett, but of this I presume ther letter will give yor.  Grace such satisfaction that I shall need neither to write more of it, nor of what is yett past.  They much desier yor.  Grace’s coming to towne wch.  I hope wilbe speedy as it wilbe materiall.  I finde them resolved to deale roundly in this Busnes as yor.  Grace desiers and are this morning in the examination of divers witness the better to Inform themselves agaynst my Ladies coming this afternoone.  The next Day, they Intend to fall uppon Lambe and Frodsham.  My Lady uppon the receipt of my lo:  Chiefe Justice letter is something dismayed but resolved to prove a new lodging, and new keepers.  The Childe, and Nurse, must remayne with us till farther directions, having nothing more at this present to aquaynt yor.  Grace of, wth. my humblest duty I take leave.

“Yor.  Grace’s most humble and
“obedient Servant,
“(Signed) I. LANIER.

“DENMARK HOUSE.
    “Feb. 19, 1625.”

“Enclosed.  Att.  Gen. Coventry and Sol.  Gen. Heath to Buckingham.